Finger ring releasably lockable over knuckle joint



July 19, 1966 J. M. SCOTT 3,261,181

FINGER RING RELEASABLY LOCKABLE OVER KNUCKLE JOINT Filed May 15, 1962 BOA/Z I NVENTOR.

BY W1 901% ATTOR/Vfy United States Patent 3,261,181 FINGER RING RELEASABLY LOCKABLE OVER KNUCKLE JOINT John M. Scott, Houston, Tex, assignor to Star Engraving Company, a corporation of Texas Filed May 15, 1962, Ser. No. 194,792 8 Claims. (Cl. 6315) This invention relates to a particular ring shape which will securely lock the ring on the finger.

Heretofore the vast mapority of inner peripheries of rings have been round, with the only known variation being that some have been made oval or elliptical.

As may be observed, the vast majorities of ring fingers, if calipered, will reveal that when the vast majority of persons are measured with the fingers extended horizontally, the ring finger at the knuckle joint will be of greater dimension in width or horizontal dimension across the finger than in vertical dimension or depth from top surface to under surface thereof.

Also it is well known that each ring finger, as well as the other fingers of the hand, will have a convex ball of flesh on the under side of the joint between the knuckle and the junction with the hand. Also the periphery of this joint is of greater dimension at the knuckle and of lesser dimension adjacent the junction of the finger with the hand.

Since rings, oval, round, or of any shape, have to be of size to be passed over the knuckle joint, the lower limiting dimension of the inner diameter of a round ring will be determined by the greatest dimension at the knuckle joint.

As for an oval ring, the major axis dimension of the ring will be determined by the greatest dimension at the knuckle joint, and the minor axis will be determined by the greatest dimension substantially transverse thereto and midway therebetween. Having these dimensions, an oval ring may be turned with major axis horizontal so that its minor axis may be fitted over the smaller or vertical dimension of the knuckle joint, then when such a ring is pushed on back past the knuckle joint it will pass over areas of diminishing peripheries until it may reach a point where it may be twisted to position its major axis vertically and finally stopped in ring position adjacent the junction of the ring finger and the hand, and there it will fit more loosely than in passage over the knuckle joint.

However, because of the difierence usually encountered between the greater transverse width of a knuckle joint and the lesser, vertical, or depth dimension thereof, there will exist substantial slack and looseness both below and above, so that it cannot be said that such a ring will lock with the bulbous, fleshy underpart of the ring finger joint, but rather there will tend to be a loose and sloppy fit of the oval ring when in ring finger position.

In view of the foregoing there is likelihood that round and oval rings will slip off, as when the finger may have been soaked in water, or may have been in substantially cold water, or in cases where some slightly too great tolerance might exist in the size of the ring as fabricated. Also such a ring might slip oil? in the ordinary course of wearing it, as when gesticulating, or in the course of exercise.

Consequently, as round and oval shaped rings are limited by the considerations hereinabove set forth, a ring of more complex inner peripheral shape has been found necessary to solve the problem of locking with the fleshy, yieldable part of the ring finger joint between knuckle and junction with the hand, and this invention relates to the discovery of such a special ring shape.

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It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a ring shape which will lock with the fleshy part of the ring joint of the ring finger.

It is a further object to provide a ring of this class with the upper part, which fits around the top of the widest and least fleshy part of the finger, being determined by the smallest dimensioned radius of the ring parts, whereas the lower parts on both sides are determined by larger dimensioned radii.

It is also another object to provide a ring of this class in which the centers for the radii of the lower side parts are spaced equal predetermined distances and in equal angular relations on opposite sides of the center for the upper part, from the lower parts respectively determined by such radii.

It is also a further object of this invention to provide a ring of this class whereby the inner periphery of the ring is continuously arcuate, the intersecting portions of top radius and side radii, and the intersecting portions of side radii with each other at the bottom of the ring being smoothed out or blended into a smooth arc.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a ring of this class whereby rings may be readily fabricated to lock safely with the fingers of the wearers.

Other and further objects will be apparent when the specification herein is considered in connection with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a ring formed after the method and upon the mandrel of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the mandrel on which the ring of this invention has been formed;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the mandrel taken along line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the ring, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a finger partially diagrammatically and partially in cross-section as it is measured in widest or transverse dimension when the fingers are spread horizontally; and

FIG. 6 is a view showing the finger of FIG. 5 as it is measured in depth with the ring thereon and when the fingers are spread horizontally.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, a ring 14) is shown in FIG. 1 having an upper part with inner periphery 11 determined by a radius R from a center C Such ring may be a plain encircling band, but as shown provides a raised rim or base 12 having a bezel or trim band 25 around the top, such base and bezel forming the mounting for a setting. The ring also includes left and right lower side part inner peripheries 13 and 14. The centers C and C are located on an arc scribed by a radius r from the center C for the arc of the top part 11 of the ring, and such centers are shown located substantially 30 degrees above the horizontal center line through the center C From the center C a radius R scribes the inner periphery of the lower right part 14 of the ring, and from the center C a radius R scribes the inner periphery of the lower left part 13 of the ring. Thus the center for the left part is shown located on the right of the vertical center line and above the horizontal center line through the center C and the center of the right part is shown located on the left of the vertical center line and above the horizontal center line through the center C The point of intersection 15 of the arcs of the respective radii R and R is shown occurring substantially near the 15 degree radial line from the center C above the horizontal center line, and the point of intersection 16 of the arcs of the respective radii R and R occurs similarly,

and on the opposite side of the vertical center line therefrom. However, these locations of such points of intersections are not limitations and under other constructions these intersections of the arc of the radius R with the arcs of the respective radii R and R may occur upon other radial lines extending at other angles from the center C Inwardly of the points of intersections and 16 blend arcs 17 and 18 respectively are provided, whereby the inner periphery of the ring is smooth and continuously arouate at such blend surfaces.

At the bottom of the ring the arcs of the respective radii R and R intersect at 19, and inwardly thereof the inner periphery follows a blend are 20 of lesser radii, preferably'equal to the radius R from the center C Such arc is shown extending for over 5 degrees on either side of the vertical center line through the ring.

The ring is of substantially uniform thickness throughout the side parts 13 and 14 and at the bottom below the blend are 20, and also throughout the top part-in the case of plain band rings. However in the case of rings with settings therein, the ring broadens out to greater thickness at the top, as shown in FIG. 1. The crosssectional view of FIG. 4 shows a typical cross-section of the lower side and bottom parts of the ring shown in FIG. 1, the irregular outer surface 21 indicating engraving thereon.

The mandrel 22, shown in FIG. 2, has its cross-sectional area at any plane determined by the same proportion factors as the space within the ring 10 is determined. Also as shown in FIG. 2, the mandrel is tapered from top to bottom so that ring banks of various inner peripheral dimensions may be inserted over the topof the mandrel and forced downwardly thereon to take the proportionate shape shown in FIG. 3 at that elevation at which the mandrel periphery is equal to the inner periphery of the ring blank as selected. The mandrel is shown solid in FIG. 3, but it may be hollow as a matter of choice and serve the same purpose when constructed to the same strength.

In FIG. 5 a finger 24 is shown which is 12 mm. in I transverse or horizontal width at the knuckle joint as the fingers are extended, the bone being very slightly below the top skin and muscle of the finger and there being very little flesh to compress on either side of the bone, both of these features being well known anatomical facts. In this view there is not too much flesh and muscle shown below the knuckle joint and the knuckle joint vertical or depth dimension at this point is shown to be 11 mm. However, inwardly of where the cross-section of FIG. 5 is taken at the knuckle joint, the fleshy part of the finger below the bone is shown in FIG. 5 to be of substantial dimension, as 13 mm. FIG. 6 shows the finger of FIG. 5 fitted with a ring, and the cross-section of FIG. 6 is taken through the finger just outwardly of the ring and at a short spaced distance inwardly of the knuckle joint at a point where the flesh bulges out, so that the vertical dimension at this point was indicated in FIG. 5 to be 13 mm. FIG. 6 shows that at this point where the vertical cross-section of the finger would normally measure say 13 mm., the flesh has been compressed vertically to some degree in depth and the bulb of flesh urged into the configuration of the lower part of the ring, so that in this case the depth or vertical dimension of the finger is shown as 12 mm.

The ring finger joint involved reflects comparable proportional measurements over Wide ranges of ages and sexes, as set forth in the chart hereinbelow. Thus it may be stated that in the vast majority of cases, barring deformities and abnormalities in proportionate growth, when knuckle joint dimensions are taken, as with the hand spread flat, palmdown, upon a table, then the horizontal, transverse or width measurements across knuckle joints between adjacent fingers will be the respective greater dimensions, and the vertical, or depthimeasurements from back of hand to palm will be respective lesser dimensions.

Male

Av. Approx. Width, mm. Av. Approx. Depth, mm.

Female Age Av. Approx. Width, mm. Av. Approx. Depth, mm.

The chart hereinbelow lists various dimensions of r,,, R and R the distance C 19 from the center C to the intersection of the arcs of the respective radii R and R the major axis and minor axis measurements thus resulting when are intersections are smoothed, and also the resulting major axis to minor axis ratios. The chart sets forth dimensions in decimals of an inch, and the last column is in proportions carried out to three decimal places. In the chart the first of figures conforms with FIG. 1 conditions.

r; R; R1 and R; C; to 19 Major Minor Axis v Axis Axis Ratio 1 Limiting dimension.

Under the theory of ring lockage involved it can be seen that ratios approaching unity may achieve a degree of lockage in cases where the ball of flesh on the under side of the ring finger joint may be quite bulbous, while in cases where there is little flesh under the ring finger joint lockage will require the ratio of major axis to minor axis to be some bit greater, with a ratio of 1.2 being a general approximate limiting ratio and 1.3 a maximum approximate limiting ratio. However, variation as to -such limiting dimensions must also be determined in degree by the ratio of width to depth measurement of any particular finger.

It can be seen that with other factors constant as compared with the proportions of the inner periphery shown in FIG. 1, a decrease in r dimension may slightly decrease the ratio of major axis to minor axis dimension, and an increase in r dimension will increase the ratio to a greater degree. Also, with all other factors constant, as to the conditions shown, the ratio of major axis to minor axis will first decrease as R is increased from a minimum limiting dimension, as .414" on the lower chart on page 8, then, after a certain increased dimension as .463 on the lower chart page '8, is reached deter-mining minimum ratio, further increases in R will result in increases in the aforesaid ratio of major axis to minor axis.

Also it can be seen that increases of R and R dimension above the approximate .664" dimension shown in the lower chart on page 8 will result in increasing the ratio of major axis to minor axis until a limiting dimension of .713" is reached, also as shown in the aforesaid lower chart, page 8. v

Conversely, it can be seen that decreases of the R and R dimension shown in the lower chart on page 8, will result in increases in the ratio of major axis to minor axis. Moreover, such decreases result in the ratio of major axis to minor axis increasing at a greater rate per increment of increase in the dimension of R R and these increases continue until a point is reached where the ring shape resulting has greater open area below a perpendicular line through the midpoint of its major axis than above it, thereby departing entirely from the spirit of the invention, and from accomplishing the purpose of employing the bulge of flesh on the under side of the finger between hand and knuckle joint to be urged into a reduced area ring configuration whereby the ring is substantially locked to the finger.

As the intersections of the arc of the radius r by radial lines from the center C determine the centers C C of the respective radii R R it can be seen that increases in the angles to the left and to the right of the vertical center line through the center C and subtended between these aforesaid radial lines from the center C and the horizontal or transverse line through the center C will result in the respective centers C and C being located in FIG. 1 successively higher and successively closer to the aforesaid vertical center line, whereby the ratio of the major axis to minor axis of the ring is successively decreased, the length of R and R being held constant.

The invention is not limited to the particular method of generating the inner periphery of a ring, nor to the particular ring shape thus achieved, nor to the particular mandrel shape generated, but other methods, rings, and mandrels are considered as well, such as by curves compiled from empirical data, all serving, as long as departure is made from round or oval shapes, to fall within the broad spirit of the invention, and within the broad scope of interpretation claimed for and merited by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A finger ring defined with relation to first and second vertical planes perpendicular to each other and passing respectively through the ring bezel, through a first center, and through the palm side apex of the ring band, and passing through said bezel, said first center, and centrally through said ring band, and further defined with relation to a horizontal plane perpendicular to said vertical planes and passing through said first center and through said ring band on opposite sides thereof, the upper, inner ring surface portion to receive the upper ring finger part being delineated by a first arc of predetermined radius from said first center, and the inner ring lower sides to receive the lower parts of said ring finger being delineated by second and third arcs of equal radii greater than said first radius with centers at the intersections of a fourth arc, on a radius shorter than said first radius and from said first center, with radial lines in said second vertical plane from said first center and subtending equal, substantially thirty degree angles above said horizontal plane on opposite sides of said first vertical plane, the inner surfaces on each side between said upper portion and said lower sides being delineated by gradual arcs of decreasing radius upwardly, and the inner surface to receive the lowermost part of said ring finger decreasing in radius in said second vertical plane on either side of the inner surface palm side apex, whereby since ring fingers, as extended horizontally for measurement at the knuckle joint are of greater horizontal than vertical dimension, with skin and muscle immediately over the upper part and sides of the bone and with a skin covered fleshy part below the bone which increases in vertical dimension inwardly of the knuckle joint, a ring with inner surfaces delineated as above described may be inserted on a ring finger substantially to lock it in position on the finger as the lower fleshy part of the finger inwardly of the knuckle joint is confined in the lower part of the ring which has less free area to receive the finger than a round ring would have in this lower area.

2. A finger ring defined with relation to first and second vertical planes perpendicular to each other and passing respectively through the ring bezel, through a first center, and through the palm side apex of the ring band and passing through said bezel, said first center, and centrally through said ring band, and further defined with relation to a horizontal plane perpendicular to said vertical planes and passing through said first center and through said ring band on opposite sides thereof, the upper, inner ring surface portion to receive the upper ring finger part being delineated by a first arc of predetermined radius from said first center, and the inner ring lower sides to receive the lower parts of said ring finger being delineated by second and third arcs of equal radii greater than said first radius with centers at the intersections of a fourth arc, on a radius shorter than said first radius and from said first center, with radial lines in said second vertical plane from said first center and subtending equal angles above said horizontal plane on opposite sides of said first vertical plane, whereby since ring fingers, as extended horizontally for knuckle joint measurement, are of greater horizontal than vertical dimension, with muscle and skin immediately over the upper part and sides of the bone and with a skin covered fleshy part below the bone, a ring with inner surfaces delineated as above described may be inserted on a ring finger substantially to lock it in position on the finger as the lower, fleshy part of the finger inwardly of the knuckle joint where the finger vertical dimension is greater than at the knuckle joint is confined in the ring configuration whereby the ring is substantially frictionally locked to the finger.

3. A finger ring as claimed in claim 2 in which the ratio of major axis to minor axis of the inner periphery of the ring is substantially 1.2.

4. A finger ring as claimed in claim 2 in which the ratio of major axis to minor axis of the inner periphery of the ring is not greater than 1.3.

5. A finger ring as claimed in claim 2 in which the ratio of major axis to minor axis of the inner periphery of the ring is greater than unity and less than 1.3.

6. A finger ring as claimed in claim 2 in which the ratio of the major axis to minor axis of the inner periphery is less than 1.2.

7. A finger ring having an inner periphery with an upper part determined by the upper part of a ring finger knuckle joint of a predetermined size and shape of ring finger and defined by a first arc of radius substantially one half of the transverse dimension across said ring finger knuckle joint as said finger is extended horizontally, said first are having a radius measured from a center at the intersection of a vertical center line through ring bezel and palm side apex and a horizontal center line substantially perpendicularly bisecting said vertical center line and passing through the ring band on opposite sides thereof, the lower parts of said inner periphery on each side of said vertical center line being determined by second and third arcs having, respectively, second and third radii ranging from substantially .9 to substantially 1.5 the radius of said first arc, said second and third radii being equal and extending from second and third centers equally spaced above said horizontal center line and equally spaced on opposite sides of said vertical center line, with the respective arcs from said second and third centers being located principally below said horizontal center line and on opposite sides of said vertical center line from the respective centers therefor.

8. A finger ring as claimed in claim 7, in which said ring is smoothed in inner surface contour above the intersection of said second and third arcs, and in which said ring is smoothed in inner surface contour sidewardly inwardly of the intersections of the respective second and third arcs and the ends of said first arc.

(References on following page) 7 8 References Cited by the Examiner 2,103,412 12/ 1937 Gaertner 6315 2,113,442 4/1938 Eccles 29160.6 UNITED STATE? PATENTS 2,623,423 12/1952 Horvath 813.5 D. 50,056 12/1916 Bonnevler. D. 153,984 5/1949 Sager. 5 FOREIGN PATENTS 486,720 11/1892 Lehman 6315.6 474,313 6/1951 Canada. 1,024,004 4/1912 Henrich 298 1 154 93 9 1915 Swem 9 RICHARD c. PINKHAM, Prlmary Exammer. 1,687,020 10/1928 Herzog 6415 F. BARRY SHAY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A FINGER RING DEFINED WITH RELATION TO FIRST AND SECOND VERTICAL PLANES PERPENDICULAR TO EACH OTHER AND PASSING RESPECTIVELY THROUGH THE RING BEZEL, THROUGH A FIRST CENTER, AND THROUGH THE PALM SIDE APEX OF THE RING BAND, AND PASSING THROUGH SAID BEZEL, SAID FIRST CENTER, AND CENTRALLY THROUGH SAID RING BAND, AND FURTHER DEFINED WITH RELATION TO A HORIZONTAL PLANE PERPENDICULAR TO SAID VERTICAL PLANES AND PASSING THROUGH SAID FIRST CENTER AND THROUGH SAID RING BAND ON OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF, THE UPPER, INNER RING SURFACE PORTION TO RECEIVE THE UPPER RING FINGER PART BEING DELINEATED BY A FIRST ARC OF PREDETERMINED RADIUS FROM SAID CENTER, AND THE INNER RING LOWER SIDES TO RECEIVE THE LOWER PARTS OF SAID RING FIGER BEING DELINEATED BY SECOND AND THIRD ARCS OF EQUAL RADII GREATER THAN SAID FIRST RADIUS WITH CENTERS AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF A FOURTH ARC, ON A RADIUS SHORTER THAN SAID FIRST RADIUS AND FROM SAID FIRST CENTER, WITH RADIAL LINES IN SAID SECOND VERTICAL PLANE FROM SAID FIRST CENTER AND SUBTENDING EQUAL, SUBSTANTIALLY THIRTY DEGREE ANGLES ABOVE SAID HORIZONTAL PLANE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID FIRST VERTICAL PLANE, THE INNER SURFACES ON EACH SIDE BETWEEN SAID UPPER PORTION AND SAID LOWER SIDES BEING DELINEATED BY GRADUAL 